One Week in Iceland

What You Should Know Before Going On A Iceland Tour

Iceland Tours tend to focus on the outdoors and active travel. You’ll be outside a lot, and in the elements. This doesn’t mean all tours in Iceland are about hard adventure though. It’s very possible to find tours that take it slow, use more comfortable modes of transportation, and partake in “easier” physical activity.

Iceland is home to numerous natural attractions, several national parks, waterfalls, lagoons, caves, volcanoes, and beaches. Most of these attractions have several ways they can be enjoyed making choosing your Iceland tour as much about the time of year as about the type of physical activity you’re looking for.

Choosing When to Tour Iceland

Visiting Iceland is very different in the summer vs the winter. In the summertime, you have extended sunlight, and the opportunity for more outdoor activity. It never gets overly warm in Iceland. Summer will be cool, and sometimes rainy, so be sure to bring lightweight jackets, long pants, and shoes that can get muddy. One of the biggest draws of Iceland in summer is the Midnight Sun, which occurs on June 21.

In the winter, the main draw is the Northern Lights! Planning to see the Northern Lights is tough because they don’t appear on a schedule - sometimes the fog doesn’t cooperate and they remain shrouded. But a tour in Iceland will help increase your chances of seeing the amazing aerial light show.

What languages are spoken in Iceland?

The national language in Iceland is Icelandic, an ancient Norse language that has changed little from its original forms, and remains one of the oldest spoken languages in Europe. However, it is also very common for Icelanders to speak English and Danish (which are required throughout school) and other European languages.

What is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in Iceland throughout the winter, from October to April. However, the best sightings occur between December and February, and when there are no clouds.

What do I need to know about Iceland?

One of the first things to know about Iceland is that it is one of the world’s hotspots of geothermal activity. This is how the country got its nickname, the Land of Fire and Ice. You can find volcanoes all over Iceland, but only some of them remain active. These volcanoes make their presence known through the various hot springs and lava fields of the country. The only thing that makes them more beautiful is how they are contrasted by the many stunning glaciers.  

Over Tourism in Iceland - is it a problem?

The short answer is yes, over tourism has begun affecting popular destinations around the world. Iceland is a very good case study. A rapid boom in popularity based on media influences (such as Game of Thrones) has caused the country to have to deal with a massive influx of tourists.

One of the most effective ways to address over tourism is actually to visit Iceland on a tour. This way of travel not only introduces you to destinations inaccessible to solo tourists but also creates safeguards against being overly harmful to the landscape. You’ll learn about the country from an experienced guide, and have a great time.  

If your speed is more adventure focused, worry not. There are plenty of Iceland tour operators suited to you! Hike on lava fields, strap on some ice shoes and climb a glacier, and off-roading to explore Iceland’s dramatic landscapes.  

Because Iceland has grown massively in popularity in recent years, over-tourism has been a hot button issue - particularly considering the many fragile ecosystems the country has. There are a number of Iceland specific operators, as well as global operators that feature tours to Iceland - and traveling with a tour is one way to help reduce your carbon footprint.